Yatra

After a a fortnight kicking back in Kasa Devi some action was needed, big mountains were sought, and the source of the Ganga to be approached. Kedernath became the target, 3.5km high but dwarfed by near 8000m peaks, and a popular pilgramage (Yatra) site for Hindus of all shapes and sizes, with the added bonus that the last 14km were only walkable, making getting there challenge enough to give the Yatra some value. So we hopped from town to town, no more than about 4 hours on the bus per day was a nice comfort level, sometimes on hill tops, some times in Valleys, often near monkeys, we moved towards our goal. Through Kasusani, Gwaldam, Karanprayag, Gopeshwar, Ukimath and finally to Gaurikund where the road ends and the walk starts. 14km might not sound alot but when you are walking up hill all the way (rising 1500m) into thinning O2 then trust me its a challenge. Fascinating walk, much to see, be it Sadhus, Pilgrims of all castes, Horses ferrying the rich, and chairs carried by 4 porters for the richer still (cheating mind you I thought) Beautiful scenery all around, Forest giving way to alpine moorland as we got higher. Arriving in the afternoon the higher slopes and the massive pinacles were shrouded in cloud, and it was decidedly chilly as evening arrived. Evening Pooja at the temple was a sound and sites gallor. Lots of Babas decked up in finest shiva styles drumming for alms, smoking their Bhang chillums, pilgrims from all over the sub continent, loud music from speakers and horns made a spectacle. Reet friendly atmosphere too. But the Biggest joy was to come in the morning when the bright blue skies revealed the Himalayan massive. As we wandered in the meadows above the town gawping at the towering rock, we felt pretty chuffed at our Yatra, ariving in a place of such beauty and happyness.
The walk home was knackering.